Business Apprentice Review

I am a business apprentice so as part of my apprenticeship I move round the business functions such as Procurement, Commercial, finance & Planning. My day to day role changes depending on what placement I am in at the time. However,

I have developed and I'm still continuing to develop my existing skills while working, for instance my time management and communication skills have improved drastically since I began. I gained a number of new skills and qualifications from internal training courses and external qualifications such as my SVQ & HNC.

I enjoy the various benefits that company offer (Flexible hours, Gym memberships etc) and the environment in which I work as most colleagues are friendly, easy to get along with and happy to help you. In regard to the programme itself, I enjoy most aspects of it and would encourage anybody to apply. However, sometimes the way the programme is set up in theory doesn't work as well in reality and this becomes frustrating.

As an employee of the company I feel very well valued, there are very few benefits I don't receive as an apprentice compared to normal employees and when I have had a problem the business has done all they can to help me. In regard to the apprenticeship programme I don't feel very valued at all as a business apprentice. As an engineering company the engineering apprentices take priority and we are often overlooked and unnoticed.

In theory the programme is structured very well however, in reality it usually doesn't work quite as well. For example, some placements are long enough for you to gain a significant understanding and experience. A lot of things are left to the last minute.

The training provider is very good, I have had no previous issues or worries with them. They give support when needed and they do their best to make things revolve around you and your development.

The support I receive from my employer very much depends on specifically who you are talking about. The apprentice team try to give me as much support as they can but in reality they have little say on how I actually operate in the business. From my function managers, I receive a lot of support from some and very little from others.

The salary is good as an apprentice (although within the company the apprentice salary hasn't increased for some time)but once the apprenticeship has actually finished it is difficult to get an increase because of your previous apprenticeship status. If you manage your money right though then the current salary is more than enough. But the more you have the more you spend in my case. Because I travel nearly 60miles a day the travel cost were significant when I was travelling alone, however I don't notice it as much now I am in a car pool.

As an apprentice there are various opportunities to get involved in external activities. These are good to help build your profile within the business. Again though, engineering apprentices usually get priority over business apprentices for places on these activities.

Yes

It a business with good; salaries, company benefits, a strong name for your CV, brilliant working conditions and opportunity to develop a long and rewarding career.

Take your time over every part of the recruitment process, invest time and work into your preparation, do background research and be confident. Nobody is looking to trip you up so don't worry about making mistakes.